A Promise Older than us

VASILISA 5

Of all the ways life could choose to screw me over. Out of everyone I had to run into. Out of everyone to get MARRIED to, it had to be that guy at the club?

At this point, nothing can surprise me anymore. Not that I was scared of marrying him but it would have been better to marry a complete stranger than someone I don't like.

It seemed he noticed it too because as soon as our eyes met, he froze before he continued on like nothing happened.

“This is my son Riccardo” My husband's father had a mature type of handsome that suited him well.

“It's nice to meet you, future daughter-in-law” His lips stretched into a polite smile that I couldn't help but return.

“And this is my grandson, Antonio” I turned to face the culprit. He just stood there, if not for his breathing, I would have been sure he was made of stone.

He extended his hand for a handshake and I took it, meeting his glare and not backing down. I could practically feel my body temperature rise out of anger.

The atmosphere was much more tense than expected. Deduska seemed to have noticed it, so he cleared his throat and spoke.

“Shall we head inside then?” He and Romano walked in front, Oleg and Riccardo then me and Antonio. The pairs ahead of us went on talking and laughing while my husband and I walked in silence.

There was literally nothing to say to each other and we were expected to get married?! If this dinner even goes remotely well, I'd know there would be hope for our marriage.

Deduska led us to our dining table, where lunch had already been served. I interacted with everyone but Antonio, shutting up whenever he spoke because I didn't want us to be in the same conversation.

I didn't even want us breathing the same air. It would have been an easier case if I were marrying his father. Now wouldn't that be a wonderful revenge story?

After lunch, we finally got to the reason why they're really here.

“As you both know, this marriage isn't just the union between two of you, it's a union between our families. To keep the friendship between me and Ivan alive for as long as possible and one of the best ways is by uniting our families. You both have agreed to the terms of the marriage but there are also certain conditions you must follow when you're both married”

“Like how you can't get a divorce until this marriage has lasted at least five years” Great, that's enough time for Stockholm Syndrome to set in and deceive us that we're in love.

“You both won't have access to your inheritance or assets until the marriage is at least three years” This was becoming too much. Now I can't get my inheritance too? What next?

“You're also not allowed to have any form of external affairs during the period of this marriage—”

“You've got to be f*****g kidding me! Not only do I have to be married to her, not get my inheritance, but I can't leave or have someone else to f**k? Are you serious?” Antonio complained.

“I'm not happy about this either, princess, but you don't see me complaining about it, do you?” I quipped. There was silence before Deduska continued from where Romano stopped.

“This isn't a requirement but you're both encouraged to work together as much as possible”

“Great, now I'm meant to work with her?”

“I can already see who's going to be the woman in this relationship, and it's such a shocker that it's not me” Sarcasm coated every word.

“I'm looking for a single f*****g person that asked, and I can't seem to find anyone”, he spat back.

“For your information, you're the one behaving like a whiny b***h. Are you on your period or something?” It was quick, but Deduska and Riccardo both had short-lived smirks on their faces.

“I don't think you'd ever be ready to head your Russian mafia”

Everything that followed happened so fast. I'd subconsciously picked up a knife and thrown it at him, missing his head by a few inches.

My sudden outburst shocked everyone who wasn't from our side of the family. If you know me you'd know I've been gifted with knives.

“I don't miss twice. See this as a sign of mercy and I really like your Grandpa. Would be a shame to kill you so soon” I took a deep breath.

Romano looked like a kid on Christmas and although Riccardo was trying to hide it, I could tell he was impressed as well.

Antonio seemed unfazed. Or he was probably shaking in his seat and trying to hide the fact that I gave him a good scare.

“On that note, you also aren't allowed to harm or kill your spouse” Deduska looked at me as I snapped my fingers muttering ‘damn it’.

“If it weren't for this union, he'd be dead by now” I put on such a sweet smile that made Oleg shake his head.

“Then there's also the shared assets between the families; you both must attend family functions and galas together. Also representing unity in the public eye at all times, and one last thing: you both are required to sleep in the same room”

Antonio was about to open his mouth before his father interrupted.

“On the same bed”, he added.

“Now it's my turn to protest. I could condone his behaviour and his toddler tantrums but I can't promise I won't strangle him in his sleep if we're in the same room”

“Finally, something we agree on. I want you gone just as badly” He played with a pen between his fingers.

“The best we can do is allow you two nights a week to sleep in your own room. Is that alright?” Deduska threw a look at Romano first as a means of asking him. Fortunately, he didn't see a problem with it.

“I'll take it. I'll take anything except Antonio” and I wasn't even joking.

“Don't think I'm all in for having you around 24/7, toots” Antonio scrunched up his nose, and Riccardo spoke again.

“You both have to abide by these terms, else the contract is nullified” These were terms I could live with, or learn to live with.

Hopefully.

“Then a toast to this lifetime sentence of a marriage. May the bullets come faster than the vows” Antonio raised his glass and drank his wine.

I never believed in curses but with the odds before me and everything that has happened from the day at the club up until now?

This definitely has to be a curse. After the negation, signing of papers and a small chitchat, we walked the Morettis back to their car.

“It was lovely to meet you, Vasilisa.” Romano pulled me into a hug and I found myself hugging him back. I can see why he and Deduska want to preserve their friendship.

They're so much alike than they realise.

“We'll see you at the wedding” Riccardo gave me a handshake with a smile. But his asshole son didn't acknowledge my presence.

Antonio simply walked past me and went straight into the car. I silently prayed it would explode as he sat in it.

We said our goodbyes, and when they drove off, that was when everything hit me all over again.

This marriage is real. And it's really happening.